Nigeria voter apathy alarm raised by Catholic bishops, urging electoral reforms, real-time result transmission, and proactive security measures
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has raised concerns over declining public participation in the electoral process, warning that voter apathy poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy, in Abuja on 26 February 2026.
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The bishops issued a communique at the end of their first 2026 plenary session, highlighting dwindling voter turnout in recent elections.
CBCN president Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji cited Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) data showing that only 23 per cent of registered voters participated in the 2023 general elections, down from over 60 per cent in 2003.
The recently concluded FCT Area Councils election recorded a turnout of just seven per cent, indicating growing public disillusionment.
The bishops called on INEC, the National Assembly, and security agencies to take immediate steps to restore Nigerians’ confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They specifically urged lawmakers to revise the Electoral Act to ensure the mandatory transmission of election results in real-time from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, minimising human interference.
“To save democracy, there is a need to respect the will of the people and promote free, fair and credible elections,” the communique stated.
The CBCN also encouraged all eligible voters to participate actively in upcoming elections.
Beyond electoral concerns, the bishops stressed the need for more robust security measures.
They called on governments at all levels to invest in modern surveillance technologies, enhance intelligence-gathering, and ensure prompt prosecution of insurgents, kidnappers, and other criminals.
The bishops cautioned that delays or pardons for offenders fuel perceptions of government complicity.
While commending the government for seeking external assistance in tackling insecurity, the CBCN emphasised that the security and future of Nigeria ultimately rest in the nation’s hands, with divine guidance.
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The bishops’ statement underscores the urgency of reforms and proactive governance to revive public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and safeguard citizens’ lives and property.
